Kelda Dynamics specializes in pressure-controlled drilling and has developed their flagship product, LeidarRT, a real-time regulator for downhole pressure control in oil wells. The company has also expanded into hydropower through its subsidiary Kelda Kraft. To ensure precision and efficiency in drilling operations, Kelda has built a suite of tools: LeidarPlan for planning, LeidarMonitoring for real-time data monitoring, and LeidarSim for simulation and testing.
To further strengthen product development, Kelda Dynamics needed a team with specialized skills. After previous experiences with external development partners had resulted in frequent turnover and time-consuming onboarding, they sought a long-term, stable collaboration — and found it with Cefalo.
Kelda Dynamics needed a team capable of handling the complex task of collecting, plotting, and visualizing drilling data — but also one that could work independently and understand the operational challenges of their industry.
– We work in a highly specialized domain, with a demanding tech stack, says Geir Arne Evjen, CTO at Kelda Dynamics.
– We need people who know more than coding – they need to understand the operational reality we are working with. Our approach to testing and validation is different from what most developers are used to.
A VERY DEMANDING STACK: Kelda Dynamics´ team in Dhaka has been selected from the very best developers in Bangladesh.
This meant the developers had to be more than technically skilled — they needed to grasp the bigger picture.
Cefalo was chosen for its flexibility and the opportunity to build a dedicated team. Over time, the Dhaka team has taken on a bigger role in developing LeidarMonitoring — improving the user interface, data visualization, backend logic, database architecture, and authentication systems, to name a few areas.
– We are very happy with their development, and we have strong confidence in both the product and the people. Their experience with AWS services has also brought in new insights for us. It is inspiring to see how the Cefalo-team has becom our LeidarMonitoring team, says Evjen.
One important lesson along the way has been the value of hands-on follow-up. While the learning curve has been steep, the team in Dhaka now has strong ownership of the product.
– To get the most out of a remote team, you have to invest in follow-up and clear direction. Ideally, I should have been to Dhaka myself to help build the team from the ground — but we haven’t had the opportunity yet, says Evjen.
Despite a few early challenges, the collaboration has yielded strong results. Cefalo has proven to be a flexible partner, quick to find replacements when needed, and always responsive to Kelda’s input.
– We need the best of the best for this to work, Evjen explains. – Cefalo has been great at listening to our needs and acting quickly. The recruitment process has been transparent and efficient.
UNDERSTAND MORE THAN CODING: The team in Dhaka works with advanced technology to develop LeidarMonitoring for Kelda Dynamics.
As the team in Dhaka has gained more experience, they’ve also taken on more responsibility — working more autonomously, while maintaining close communication with the team in Porsgrunn.
– They’ve really picked up the pace, and they now understand the operational criticality of their work, says Evjen.
– We’ve also received great advice from Cefalo on how to set clearer expectations and give sharper direction. Those conversations have been really valuable. To be honest, we wouldn’t have been able to do the project we’re working on now without the team in Dhaka.
From a business perspective, the partnership has also made clear financial sense for Kelda Dynamics.
– It’s definitely cost-effective for us, Evjen says.
– We get twice the number of developers for what we’d pay in Norway — and our long-term goal is to build a strong development team together.
Looking ahead, Kelda Dynamics sees the Cefalo team as an integrated part of their development strategy — and one that’s already proven its value in their latest initiative, Kelda Kraft.
– The team has been incredibly useful for our new business area as well. They now balance both product lines — and that gives us a lot of value, concludes Evjen.
Kelda Dynamics´Top Recommendations for Succeeding with External Development Teams
- Engagement and Follow-Up – External teams require thorough onboarding and close follow-up to understand complex technical systems.
- Long-Term Perspective – Continuity and stability are essential when working on demanding development projects.
- Flexibility in Recruitment – Cefalo's prompt response to resource needs has been crucial for maintaining progress
Want to know more about our developers? We would love to talk to you by phone, video or in a meeting.